Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

The two novels being analyzed are Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland written Lewis Carroll and Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. Both novels have the main character traveling through a magical world. The adventure does not begin for either character until they enter that fantasy world. The authors of both books do a great job of using humor and fantasy to capture the readers attention. Each novel has its own special qualities, but one argument is for sure, both books are fantasies.

Secondly, the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland uses humor and fantasy to appeal to both children and adults. This novel would appeal to children because of the many fantasy creatures, such as a talking rabbit, a disappearing cat, and soldiers made out of cards. A child pays more attention to a book when the characters are fantasy creatures. Children love for their imaginations to come in handy when reading a book. This novel would appeal to adults such as the morals and comments of the Duchess. “I quite agree with you, and the moral of that is- be what you seem to be- or, if you like to put it more simply-never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise” (Carroll 69). It takes an adult’s mind to even understand what the Duchess is saying and what she means when she speaks her mind. Carroll presents humor when Alice falls down the rabbit hole and meets many fantasy creatures. Even though humor is many places in this book, humor is not noticed until Alice has met the Queen of Hearts’ because whenever someone speaks, she demands for his or her head to be cut off. Fantasy begins when Alice enters Wonderland and starts meeting fantasy characters, such as the caterpillar, and the Cheshire cat. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a novel that appeals to both children and adults.

Thirdly, the novel Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone appeals more to children due to the adventure and magic. Harry has lost his parents and he now lives with his bitter aunt and uncle. Children enjoy reading about a special boy, who has to conquer his relatives before he can succeed in life. Children love to relate to the main character, especially if the child’s dream is to become the main character. This novel appeals more to children because of Harry Potter’s magic and fantasy creatures, such as a three- headed dog and a unicorn. Harry appeals to children because he has not used his magic and it is entertaining to learn about his many adventures. Such fantasy creatures add extra twists to Harry’s adventures and ultimately his quest for becoming a great wizard. Children enjoy books that stretch their imagination and take them to distant fantasy worlds. Harry Potter makes that happen because he is a wizard and the magic school he goes to is in a fantasy world. Harry’s powers and adventures make every child want to be him, and enjoy the experience that comes along with being Harry Potter. Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone appeals more to children because of Harry’s adventures and the fantasy world that it takes place in.

The novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland appeals more to adults due to the complex dialogue and characters. During the course of this book, many events occur at one time making it difficult to follow the dialogue and plot. Alice’s adventures in Wonderland occur in her dreams making anything possible because a child’s imagination is capable of anything. Due to her imagination taking control, it is difficult to understand what is happening because so many events are occurring at one time. This book contains many themes and analyzes many of those that the reader has to make to follow everything that is happening. Many events in this novel are intended to mean the opposite of what is really implied, so it takes a adult’s mind to understand these concepts. Many morals and themes are to be absorbed by the reader, for the reader to understand what is going on. This book is somewhat difficult to follow because of the many complex characters and bizarre morals. In Chapter 9, the Duchess describes one of her morals to Alice, which is incredibly confusing: “And the moral of that is- Birds of a feather flock together” (Carroll 68). Characters such as the Hatter have different attitudes at different parts of the book, so the reader doesn’t even realize who is speaking.

Both novels are fantasies because of the magical worlds they take place in and the fantasy characters. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland uses humor and fantasy effectively to appeal to both children and adults. Harry Potter appeals more to children because it is easier to understand and follow and the story is interesting and exciting. Alice in Wonderland appeals more to adults due to its complexity in morals and dialogue. Even though Alice in Wonderland is a great book, Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone will be a great book for many years to come.